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Arts & Communication Lianhuanhua during Mao’s era

community, and political environment, all of which form has expanded to Zhangzhou in Fujian, Jiujiang in Jiangxi
a key component of civic education. By focusing on the (2021), and Huiyang in Guangdong (2022). This revival
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foundational meaning of citizenship, lianhuanhua can be marks a cultural phenomenon without precedent in
understood as a tool for shaping “qualified citizens” for modern China. In a nation dominated by smartphones and
Mao’s era through pre-adulthood socialization. digital media, this trend suggests that influential Chinese
It is important to acknowledge that the feedback figures have not forgotten their childhood experiences
received may not be entirely objective. This is partly due to with lianhuanhua and continue to view it as an effective
the political framework underlying lianhuanhua, which is tool for social education. However, the effectiveness of this
rooted in the cultural system of Mao’s era – a sensitive topic approach remains an open question.
in contemporary China. Despite assurances of anonymity Acknowledgments
and privacy during interviews, some respondents may have
concealed their true thoughts, leading to responses that None.
were more positive than their actual opinions. Furthermore,
while a few interviewees expressed dissatisfaction with Funding
lianhuanhua, their criticisms were often directed at the None.
broader social environment of the time rather than the books
themselves. Nevertheless, the influence of lianhuanhua on Conflict of interest
their development remains undeniable. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Today, lianhuanhua is a rare sight in China, with
copies occasionally found in second-hand bookstores. Author contributions
Chinese children no longer read lianhuanhua, as it has Conceptualization: Sunny Han Han
been replaced by more polished illustrated books, often Writing – original draft: Sunny Han Han
authored by writers from the United States, South Korea, Writing – review & editing: All authors
Japan, and other countries. Chinese authors in this genre
are notably scarce. The extensive system of children’s Ethics approval and consent to participate
illustrated books entirely created by Chinese writers and
artists, like lianhuanhua, no longer exists. The authors of this paper solemnly declare that all
respondents provided explicit consent for the disclosure of
Globally, the lianhuanhua phenomenon stands out as the research information included in this study. All excerpts
unprecedented in the history of children’s literature. No other from the interviews have been faithfully translated from
country has ever witnessed such a nationwide mobilization the original Chinese text without modification, and their
to produce a single series of children’s books. However, publication has been approved by the interviewees. The
contemporary Chinese children’s illustrated books cannot study adheres to fundamental academic ethical standards
replicate the role of lianhuanhua once played. With access in conducting and processing the interviews. However,
to diverse information sources such as mobile phones, TVs, given the unique sociopolitical environment in China and
and computers, illustrated books have become just a small the sensitive nature of the paper’s topic, all interviewees
part of children’s broader information landscape. requested that their identifying information be presented

Has lianhuanhua truly vanished? I do not believe anonymously, pseudonymously, or partially anonymously
so. A generation of Chinese individuals who gained to mitigate potential risks associated with expressing their
political insights from these books now holds influential personal political views.
positions across various sectors in the country. Many
began their reading journeys captivated by lianhuanhua’s Consent for publication
narratives, and it remains a lifelong spiritual resource, Not applicable.
deeply embedded in their worldviews. Even today, when
addressing significant or complex issues in contemporary Availability of data
China, the influence of lianhuanhua may subtly persist, The raw data (including audio and video recordings)
even if it goes largely unrecognized. collected during this study are not publicly available to
Notably, the Beijing Municipal Education Bureau has protect respondents from potential risks and in accordance
implemented a program titled “Excellent Children’s Films with their explicit requests. However, the data can be made
and Comic Strips in Schools,” which has run for three available upon reasonable request to the corresponding
consecutive years since 2014. Since 2020, the initiative author, subject to certain conditions.

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 9 doi: 10.36922/ac.5738